Don't call it the Black Flag

Opponents have not had a lot
of success passing, or running, or scoring on Trinity (Texas) this
season.
Trinity athletics photo

Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Trinity football
program made its name as one of the most successful programs on the
Division III level. Deep playoff runs and Southern Collegiate
Athletic Conference championships culminated in a trip to the 2002
Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl.

A part of that success was a defense that prided itself in
the ability to shut down opponents and ranked among the stingiest
in D-III. They were known as the “Black Flag.”

But a little more than a half decade later, these are different
times for the Tiger program. Last year, it suffered through
its first losing season (4-6) in nearly 20 years. And while
they’ve been a consistent contender in the SCAC, Trinity had
won just one conference crown since 2006 entering this season. And
that one required a “Mississippi Miracle” of sorts.

And despite four trips to the playoffs since 2003, they
haven’t won a playoff game since that magical season in
2002.

Making matters worse for the program this past offseason, most
of their conference mates decided to flee the SCAC after this year
to form a new conference.

So to say that the Tigers were a team searching for a new
identify back in August isn’t too much of a stretch.

“We don’t call it the “Black Flag”
defense,” said first-year defensive coordinator Jim Dawson.
“That was something that was in the early ‘90s that
kind of fizzled out around 2000 or 2002 or up to 2005. We are not
that. That was then and this is now.”

But after a 10-0 season and a return to the top of this SCAC
this fall, it appears Trinity has found itself again in a defense
that ranks third in the nation in scoring (9.8 ppg) and 11th total
defense (242 ypg.)

“That was one of our team goals that the team came up with
-- win it in the last year of the SCAC,” Dawson said.

If you are looking for a new fancy nickname, you won’t
find it according to Dawson. The a veteran of 38 years of coaching,
who coach Steve Mohr hired to run his defense last offseason, has
coached on all three levels of college football and in Texas high
schools.

“Well, we’re trying to find it,” he said.
“We told the guys to try to find their MO this fall. We
didn’t know what we were going to be called. We don’t
have a name yet.”

The Tiger offense has been solid, but unspectacular when
compared to teams such as Mary Hardin-Baylor, Linfield, Wesley and
this week’s first round opponent McMurry. But it is their
defense and special teams that give Trinity the best chance to
advance this Saturday. The Tigers rank third in the nation in net
punting and 11th in turnover margin.

Five of the Tigers wins this season have been by eight points or
less. In four of those games, the defense has been on the field at
the end making a stop to secure the victory.

It’s been quite a turnaround from last season, when
injuries, blown coverage and inexperience knocked the Tigers out of
SCAC contention before the end of September.

“It was one of those years.” Dawson said, who
volunteered at Trinity in 2009 but spent last season coaching high
school ball. “The injury bug hit them really, really
hard.

“There were some things that went on in games that are
just not typical of what Trinity (defense) traditionally is all
about. A lot guys playing in the game weren’t ready. You
don’t want to use it as an excuse, but you look back as a
coach and think that guy has no business being out there
yet.”

According to Dawson, the formula for success has not been all
that complicated.

“We pride ourselves on being able to line up correctly,
getting our eyes where they need to be and seeing what we need to
see,” He said. “We have decent team speed and try to be
physical at the point of attack.

“I’ve got some really good young coaches that
understand the game. They do a great job getting all our prep work
done. I think having a full-time coordinator on campus has allowed
us to provide more leadership. Just a new enthusiasm any time you
stir the waters and change your staff around a little bit. That
newness bring brings a little enthusiasm with it.”

Still, the veteran coach knows that enthusiasm and a good scheme
can only get you so far.

“It’s the kids more than anything else they’ve
stayed healthy and played hard,” according to Dawson.
“They believe.”

Outside linebacker Ben Robinson heads an outstanding linebacking
corps. The senior leads the team in tackles (79) and tackles for
loss (12.5.). His versatility allows him to “make a lot of
plays” according to Dawson. Robinson, who was two sacks, two
interceptions and two forced fumbles can play outside backer and
nickel.

Inside backers Nick Darling and Tom Puskarich are the
“heart of our unit” said Dawson.

“The way they do (defensive) stats now is with the naked
eye (in the press box) they put down whoever they think makes the
tackle,” he said. “When we watch (video) when we come
back, those two have about 30 more tackles than they’ve been
given this season).”

Junior linebacker Phillip Hiner-Leamon leads the team in sacks
with six and the defensive line has depth rotating in as many as
seven players in their 3-4 scheme.

Senior fourth-year starter Tyler Barrett heads a secondary that
has been able to stay healthy, a “real key” according
to Dawson. Barrett is fourth on team in tackles (55) and led the
SCAC in interceptions with six.

“He is a real smart kid -- kind of the quarterback back
there getting us lined up against all the different
formations.”

That secondary and the Tiger defense will face its biggest test
to date this season on Saturday against McMurry. The War Hawks are
the top-ranked passing offense (370 yards per game) in D-III, while
scoring nearly 41 points a game.

“Watching them on film, they have guys that we don’t
have,” Dawson said.

One of the guys that McMurry may not have is quarterback Jake
Mullin, who sat out part of last week’s game with a knee
injury. Still, the War Hawks appear to have a capable backup in
Stephen Warren.

One thing is for sure though, if the Trinity defense is on the
field with the game on the line late in the fourth quarter
Saturday, don’t bet against them. If they can slow down the
War Hawks, we may just have to get them a new nickname.